Super Rugby: Reds expecting Richie McCaw to play off the bench for the Crusaders in qualifying final

Queensland is preparing to face a Crusaders squad featuring Richie McCaw, even if the All Blacks captain is only used off the reserves bench in Saturday's qualifying final in Christchurch.

McCaw has played no part in the Crusaders' Super Rugby campaign so far this year, having taken a seven-month sabbatical after the All Blacks' end-of-season Test against England in December.

He made his return to playing duties last weekend in the Christchurch club competition and is expected to be named on the bench for Saturday's sudden-death encounter against the Reds.

Matt Todd is set to start at openside flanker ahead of McCaw but Reds head coach Richard Graham says the visitors' game plan will cater for the presence of the 32-year-old, most likely in the second half.

"They will start with the guys that have done the job for them and have done it well for them so far this year," he said.

"I think that would be the right thing and they have acknowledged that, but I think McCaw will come into the game at some point."

The breakdown will be the key battleground in Christchurch, with Todd and McCaw to come up against outstanding number seven Liam Gill, who has re-signed with the Reds for another two seasons.

Gill, who came of the bench for the Wallabies in the opening two Tests of the British and Irish Lions series, is relishing the prospect of facing McCaw at some stage on Saturday night.

He feels the Crusaders may opt to play Todd and McCaw together in the back row in the second half to increase their on-ball presence at the breakdown.

"He'll (McCaw) be huge, he is one of the best players in the world and has been for the last decade," Gill said.

"So I think whether he starts or comes off the bench in tandem with Matt Todd will be huge."

Grand slam

The Crusaders are the only New Zealand side the Reds did not play during the regular season and a win over the seven-time Super Rugby champions will give them a clean sweep of their trans-Tasman rivals.

The Reds claimed the scalps of the Hurricanes (18-12) and the Blues (12-11) at home, while they defeated the Highlanders (34-33) and defending champions the Chiefs (18-12) on New Zealand soil.

The bonus-point victory over the Chiefs in round nine provided the Reds with a massive boost in confidence and Graham admits it will serve as a reference point as they prepare to meet the Crusaders.

"He'll (McCaw) be huge, he is one of the best players in the world and has been for the last decade.

Liam Gill

"The Chiefs win was a really significant one for us, particularly at the point of the season," he said.

"But I think having played all four New Zealand teams, all four play similarly but with subtle differences and we've been able to overcome that."

The Reds have not won in Christchurch since 1999 and lost 15-11 last season in the South Island city, although they did lead the Crusaders during the second half.

Graham is respectful of the Crusaders' standing as the most successful Super Rugby franchise, but he highlights the Reds hold a winning record over Saturday's opponent since Ewen McKenzie took charge at Ballymore in late 2009.

They have won three of their four encounters with the Crusaders with McKenzie at the helm, a record that includes their 18-13 victory in the 2001 final.

"They've (Crusaders) got a fantastic record at home but certainly the Reds' record over the last four years has been very good against them," he said.

"It's probably the best of anyone in the competition so we go over there with a lot of confidence, also on the back of beating all the New Zealand teams this year."

The Reds will have captain James Horwill and his deputy Will Genia available this weekend, after they missed last Saturday's 14-12 win over New South Wales in Sydney through injury.

Meanwhile, the Reds announced that aside from Gill's re-signing they have also secured prop James Slipper and lock Rob Simmons through until the end of 2015 season.